India’s Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has released the draft UGC Regulations, 2025, which outline the minimum qualifications for appointment and promotion of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for maintaining standards in higher education.
The regulations specify administrative commitments and the code of professional ethics in universities and colleges, aiming to foster innovation, inclusivity, flexibility, and dynamism in all areas of higher education.
New Delhi, India, January 06, 2025 — India’s Union Minister for Education, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, released the draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges, and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, today in New Delhi. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education; Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of the UGC; heads of various institutions, academicians, officials from the Ministry, and other dignitaries attended the event.
In his address to the audience, Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the draft reforms and guidelines will introduce innovation, inclusivity, flexibility, and dynamism into all aspects of higher education. These changes aim to empower teachers and academic staff, enhance academic standards, and lay the foundation for achieving educational excellence. He also congratulated the UGC team for their efforts in formulating the Draft Regulations and Guidelines in alignment with the ethos of NEP 2020.
The Minister announced that the Draft Regulations 2025 have been made available for public feedback, suggestions, and consultations. He expressed confidence that the UGC will soon publish the final version, which will drive transformations in the education system and help the country move towards Viksit Bharat 2047 through quality education and research.
In his address, Sunil Kumar Barnwal stated that these regulations will significantly improve the quality of teaching and learning in higher education institutions. He also noted the Ministry’s commitment to supporting their effective implementation nationwide.
The Draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges, and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, will provide universities with greater flexibility in the appointment and promotion of teachers and academic staff within their institutions.
The draft regulations and guidelines are open for public feedback, encouraging stakeholder comments and suggestions.
Highlights of the Regulations
- Administrative Commitments and Code of Professional Ethics:
- The framework outlines clear administrative commitments and establishes a code of professional ethics for universities and colleges.
- Enhanced Governance:
- The selection process for Vice-Chancellors will be restructured to broaden eligibility criteria while ensuring transparency throughout the procedure.
- Flexibility:
- Candidates can pursue teaching careers in subjects they possess qualifications through the NET/SET examinations, even if such subjects differ from their prior academic degrees. Emphasis will be placed on specialization within Ph.D. programs.
- Promotion of Indian Languages:
- The draft Regulations advocate for the increased utilization of Indian languages within academic publications and degree programs.
- Holistic Evaluation:
- The Regulations seek to abolish score-based shortlisting methods and redirect focus towards a comprehensive assessment of qualifications, including noteworthy contributions to the field.
- Diverse Talent Pool:
- To enhance the diversity of talent, dedicated recruitment pathways will be established for experts in the arts, sports, and traditional disciplines.
- Inclusivity:
- The framework allows accomplished sportspersons, including individuals with disabilities, to enter the teaching profession.
- Simplified Promotion Process:
- The promotion criteria will be streamlined, emphasizing teaching effectiveness, research output, and academic contributions.
- Focus on Professional Development:
- The initiative encourages ongoing learning and skill enhancement for educators through faculty development programs.
- Enhanced Transparency and Accountability:
- Efforts will be made to ensure transparent processes regarding recruitment, promotion, and grievance resolution.
Source: Ministry of Education, Government of India
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